Davao City -Pursuant to the thrusts of attaining the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) in alleviating poverty, the Philippines is committed to respond to five MDGs – (1) eradicate extreme poverty and hunger; (2) achieve universal primary education; (3) reduce child mortality; (4) improve maternal health; and (5) promote gender equality.

To achieve this, the National Government Agencies (NGAs) are enjoined to work together through sharing of resources, technology and expertise in all aspects of Pantawid Pamilya program implementation, thus, the Regional Advisory Committee (RAC) was created.

The Regional Advisory Committee (RAC) is composed of the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) as Chair; Department of Health (DOH), Vice Chair; Department of Education (DepEd), Vice Chair; Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG), Member; National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA), Member; National Anti-Poverty Commission (NAPC), Member ; and other Civil Society Organizations (CSOs) as members.

RAC meetings are conducted quarterly in the region.

Its functions are: (1) draw inter-agency policies for program implementation in accordance with the mandates of agencies involved;  (2) coordinate the implementation or operationalization of sectoral activities to better execute program objectives and functions; (3) review operation plans and resolve concerns and requirements needing inter-agency actions; (4) review and approve norms and procedures for program implementation; (5) consolidate all inter-agency resource commitments for the convergence of agency programs and services in the target areas to ensure that  the program beneficiary can comply with the conditions set; (6) review program progress/evaluation reports and recommend policies and actions to ensure effective and efficient program implementation; (7) monitor progress in different sectors and propose changes if necessary; and (8) perform other program related duties and functions as may be designated/assigned by oversight agencies.

The Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program is a poverty-reduction strategy of the national government that aims to assist poor families in sending their children to school and keeping them healthy by providing cash assistance.

These families must comply with the conditions on health and education in order to continue on receiving the cash grants.

At present, Davao Region has 194,789 household beneficiaries in all 4 provinces, 6 cities, 43 municipalities covering 2,217 barangays. (DSWD)